The visitors began brightly and took the lead after ten minutes with the in-form Sergio Agüero netting his 18th goal of the season.

But Southampton deservedly claimed a point to end a run of three successive losses thanks to a sublime piece of play by Osvaldo shortly before half-time.

Steven Davis played a clever ball over the top and into the final third which Osvaldo dinked the ball to get the better of the usually solid Vincent Kompany.

Osvaldo turned the City captain inside out, cut back inside Pablo Zabaleta before curling an inch-perfect shot into the top corner that gave Costel Pantilimon no chance of stopping.

"I'm very happy after scoring that goal - it's a shame that it didn't get us victory," Osvaldo told Saints Player at full time.

Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino added: "We have been patient with Dani, and today he has shown exactly why we have been patient with him because he showed his quality and skill in what he did today."